1. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katrina Bivald
A heartwarming reminder of why we are booklovers, this is a sweet, smart story about how books find us, change us, and connect us.
It’s National Poetry Month! But book groups may be asking: what does that have to do with us? Here’s an idea that involves adding a bit of poetry to your prose reading—without the rhyme schemes.
Poetry has a reputation for being difficult to understand: too much concentration for too little reward. And book groups might struggle to know where to begin when discussing poetry, because the things they usually talk about—plot, character, theme—may not appear so directly. Besides, how do you begin to discuss a collection of dozens of poems?
Since its release last year, Angie Thomas’ debut young adult novel The Hate U Give has become a #1 New York Times Bestseller, gathered starred reviews, earned a National Book Award nomination, and is currently in film production. And its success comes for good reason. The book grapples with important, timely issues surrounding racial injustice and police violence, and what it means to be a teenager in the contemporary world.
The novel tells the story of 16 year-old Starr Carter, an African-American teen who witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend Khalil by the police.
Mary Sharratt is the author of six novels.
Mary Sharratt recently visited 702WI, the home of Reading Group Choices, to read and discuss her work with an audience. Mary also took the time to answer our Q&A.
702WI: What book changed your life?
Mary Sharratt: When I was a teenager I read Nor Hall’s book, The Moon and the Virgin, which I treasure to this day. It opened me up to the living reality of myth,
Cynthia Swanson is the author of two novels.
Cynthia Swanson recently visited 702WI, the home of Reading Group Choices, to read and discuss her work with an audience. Lorna also took the time to answer our Q&A and she shared life-changing books, Norwegian curse words, her favorite bookstore, and what she finds most fascinating in the world of science.
702WI: What book changed your life?
Cynthia Swanson: The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollen.
National Book Award Finalist Min Jin Lee is the author of two novels.
Min Jin Lee recently visited 702WI, the home of Reading Group Choices, to read and discuss her work with an audience. Min took the time to join us for a Q&A, sharing life-changing books, her favorite bookstore, and the best part of giving readings.
702WI: What book(s) changed your life?
Min Jin Lee: Middlemarch by George Eliot and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
702WI: What book(s) are coming out this year that you’re looking forward to reading?
